Scribd
Upload
16 views

Lecture 3

Uploaded by

Ayesha Faisal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

Lecture 3

Uploaded by

Ayesha Faisal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

Introduction to Computer

Lecture # 3
Course Instructor : S.M Hussain
Lecture overview
Types of computer w.r.t
working principal
• This classification is based on the way physical quantities are
represented in a computer.

• There are three basic types of computer w.r.t their working principal.
 Analog computers
 Digital computers
 Hybrid computers
Analog computers
• These computers are used to process analog data.

• Analog data is of continuous nature having an infinite variety of


values usually obtained from some measuring process.

• Such type of data includes temperature, pressure, speed ,weight,


voltage, depth etc.

• Analog computers measure continuous changes in some physical


quantity.

• They are ideal in situations where data can be accepted directly


from measuring instrument without having to convert it into numbers
or codes.
Continued…
• They do not require any storage capability because they measure
and compare quantities in a single operation.

• They are faster than digital computers.

• Output of an analog computer is generally in the form of readings on


a series of dial or a graph on strip chart.
Analog Computers
Applications of analog computers

• For measuring
Speed (Speedometer)
Temperature (Thermometer)
Weight (Weight machine)
• In specialized engineering and scientific applications for calculation
and measurement of analog quantities

• To control processes found in oil refinery where flow and


temperature measurements are important

• In paper making and in chemical industry


Digital Computers
• Digital computers operates on digital data such as numbers.

• They use binary number system in which there are only two digits 0
and 1 known as bits.

• They give more accurate and precise results than analog


computers.

• They provide long term storage and can store huge amount of
information.

• They are well suited for solving complex problems in engineering,


business and technology.
Digital computers
Hybrid Computers
• Hybrid computer utilize the best qualities of both analog and digital
computers.

• They have the speed of analog and accuracy of digital computers.

• They incorporate the measuring feature of analog and the counting


feature of digital computers.

• They are suited for situation where digital processing of data


collected in analog form is desirable.

• These computers are designed to perform special tasks where


measurements are converted to digits.
Hybrid Computers
Types of computer w.r.t purpose
• Computers can be divided into two types w.r.t purpose.
 General Purpose Computer
 Special Purpose Computer
General Purpose Computer
• These computers can store different programs and can thus be used
in countless applications.

• It can perform any kind of job with equal efficiency simply by


changing the application program stored in main memory.

Examples
• Personal computers, tablets, laptops, mini computer, super
computer, mainframe computer etc.
Special Purpose Computer
• A Special Purpose Computer is the one that is designed to perform
only one special task.

• The program or instructions set is permanently stored in such a


machine.

• They are very quick but cannot be used for any other purpose.

• They are also known as dedicated computers.

Examples :-
• Video game device, calculator, ATM Machine
Types of Computer w.r.t size, cost and
speed
• Size wise computers can be divided into four types w.r.t size, cost
and speed.
 Micro Computer
 Mini Computer
 Mainframe Computer
 Super computer
Micro Computer
• A microcomputer is a computer whose CPU is a microprocessor.

• A microprocessor is a processor all of whose components are built


on a single integrated circuit chip made of silicon.

• Micro computers are designed for personal use, therefore they are
also known as personal computers.

• They are smallest in size, least in price and small in memory as


compared to other types of computer.

• They are used for variety of applications like computer literacy, fun
and games, business applications, programming etc.
Continued…

• Due to their small size, they are easily accommodatable on table or


lap. Some of its types are handheld also.

• Some typical machines are:-


 DCM Tandy
 Apple- II
 BBC Acorn
 IBM-PC
 Pentium Series
 HP systems
 Dell Series
Types of Micro Computers
Mini computers
• Minicomputers are larger and more powerful than microcomputers but
smaller and less powerful than mainframes.

• They are cheaper in cost, smaller in size and small in memory as


compared to mainframe computers .

• They do not require air conditioning and can be operated in room


temperature.

• Generally they are used as servers on networks with personal


computers as nodes.

• Mini computer can serve up to 4000 connected users simultaneously.


Continued…
• It is normally accessed by users via personal computer or terminal.

• They can execute five million instructions per second.

• They cost somewhere between Rs.5 to 15 lac depending upon the


configuration.

• Mini computers are often used by small and medium-sized


companies to provide centralized store of information.

• Some typical machines are:-


 TDC 316
 PDP 11/70
 Honeywell (XPS-100)
 HCL-4
Minicomputers
Mainframe Computer
• They are very big in size and offer the maximum computing power.

• A large number of peripherals can be attached to them.

• They are generally used as servers in large networks.

• The original mainframes were housed in room-sized metal frames.

• Newer mainframes are about the same size as a large refrigerator.

• They are capable of handling data processing needs of head office


of a bank, or a big multinational company or may be a public utility
office.
Continued…
• They have larger storage and the speed of processing is also very
high.

• They can execute 10 to 100 millions of instructions per second


(MIPS), and cost somewhere between 1 to 5 million dollars.

• Some typical machines are:-


 Univac 1100/10
 Univac 1100/60
 Honeywell DSP 88/860
 IBM 270/168
 IBM 390
Mainframe Computers
Super computers
• They are most expensive of all the computers.

• These computers are big general purpose computers .

• They are capable of executing more than 10,000 millions


instruction per second and have largest storage capacities.

• These computers are used to solve complex mathematical


problems related to nuclear physics and plasma physics
,seismology and aerodynamics etc.

• They are quite expensive and cost somewhere around 10-30


million dollars depending upon the configuration
Continued…
• They are best for highly calculation- intensive tasks such as weather
forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling, physical
simulation.

• They are mostly used by military and scientific agencies.

• Some typical machines are


 Cray 1
 Cray 2
 Cray 3
 Param
 Cyber 810&830
Super Computers
Enough For Today!!!

You might also like